Follow by Email

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

European U-21 Championships
The U-21 championship is one of the few competitions in the world where we see the next generation of the next big stars. We have already noticed some new talent emerging, Isco (who has now agreed a £23m move to Real Madrid) and Thiago (who is wanted by Manchester United). So the future is very bright for Spain. However the future lookds very bleak for England. They failed to qualify from their group for the second successive season except for this seaason they were eliminated with out a point and they become only the second team after since Finland in 2009. But whether they will improve is for the future to decide...

Confederations Cup
The Confederations Cup is a tournament where the best international teams of each continent. This year it was:Brazil (the host), Italy (as runner up of Euro 2012), Mexico (as the champions of North America), Japan (as the champions of Asia) are all in Group A, while Spain (as the winners of the World Cup), Uruguay (as champions of South America), Nigeria (as champions of Arica) and Tahiti (as champions of Oceania) are all in Group B.

The first day was Brazil vs Japan which Brazil won comfortably 3-0 thanks to an outstanding goal from Neymar. Hopes where high for the next games to come. Another outstanding goal, this time from Luis Suarez, ended Uuguay's game as Spain 2-1 Uruguay. And the great goals just kept coming this time from a trademark free kick from Andrea Pirlo on his 100th cap. But the most historic game in the group stages came in the form of Tahiti vs Nigeria. Tahiti defied all odds and scored against a difficult opposition and it was the best moment in their history. In the first semi-final a disappointing Brazil edged their way past Uruguay.In the second semi-final, an under-par Spain drew 0-0 with an impressive Italy side. However, the penalties were DEFINETLY not under-par. They were the best penalties I had ever seen in my life! That is until the 12th penaly where Italian defender Bonucci skied his penalty.

So, it was the final we were all hoping for... Spain vs Brazil. The two greats of world football. The clash between tika-taka and direct play towards Neymar. In the end it was Brazil who won 3-0! And who thought that would happen? Not me thats for sure. Goals from Fred (2) and Neymar stole the show for Brazil.